Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Can I Throw It Out Now? When to Toss; When to Save

On the one hand, my frugal self wants to get every drop out tubes, containers and appliances in my cabinets, frig and purse. But on the other hand, is it really safe to hold on to stuff for too long? What kind of deadlines are we talking about?

I found some answers about expiration dates from a variety of sources. Here's a quick sketch of what I've found from Woman's World magazine.

Smoke Alarms: Buy new batteries every year (or when your alarm starts that annoying "low-battery" hum). Purchase a new smoke detector every 10 years.

Makeup: Mascara should be replaced every three months to avoid eye infections from bacteria. Lipstick twice a year (hmmmm. Is that really true? I've kept favorite shades around longer). Foundation: replace opened containers every eight months. That's the word from Woman's World.

Fire Extinguishers: Replace your extinguisher every 12 years because over time it loses its pressure and becomes ineffective.Smoke Detectors: Throw them out every 10 years because over time the electronics don't work as well. They can lose their accuracy and sensitivity, and fail to alert you in an emergency.Paint: Get rid of your paint every two years to three years — and even sooner if it's been exposed to freezing temperatures.Mattress: Buy a new one after 10 years because mattresses are impossible to clean. A 10-year-old mattress can have 10 million dust mites. An old mattress actually feels heavier because it is full of dust mites and their droppings.Pillow: Throw it out after three years, but wash or dry clean twice a year. In the average used pillow, a British study found 1 million fungus spores, including species normally found in bread mold and shower walls.Disposable Batteries: Toss these after seven years, even if you don't use them.Rechargeable Batteries:Throw these out after three years to five years. Because these contain harmfulchemicals, dispose of them properly at a hazardous waste center.

*Batteries, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers should be taken to hazardous waste disposal centers.

It's a good thing I'm moving. I'm purging items like you wouldn't believe!!

I am guilty of keeping my eye pencils on longer than I should... and my mascara is due for an overhaul. But I definitely throw out items when I see them discolour, or smell funny. Other than that, I assume they're all right...

About Me: Writer, Mom and Journalist

I'm another spoiled writer, with fine tastes and a small budget. Author of a newspaper column about saving money. I have a fashionably frugal attitude: Live well, find meaning and stay on a budget.
Photo credit: Melanie Bell

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